Obstetric Fistula Continues to Affect Women in Remote Areas of Malawi
Obstetric fistula affects many women in remote Malawi, reports Chifundo Gondwe.
LILONGWE, Malawi — Obstetric fistula, a debilitating childbirth injury that can leave women incontinent and in pain, continues to affect numerous women from remote areas of Malawi, according to recent statistics, writes Chifundo Kudzula Gondwe.
It is reported that 90% of women with fistula develop the condition during childbirth, highlighting the urgent need for intervention and awareness.
An obstetric fistula is an abnormal opening between a woman's genital tract and her urinary tract or rectum
It is caused by several days of obstructed labour, without timely medical intervention or caesarean section, during which the soft tissues of the pelvis are compressed between the baby's head and the mother's pelvic bones
They may also be isolated from their community and shunned by their husbands and families.
There is a simple surgical procedure that can repair a fistula. However, the cost of surgery can be prohibitive for many women in Malawi.
The Bwaila Fistula Care Centre is working tirelessly to provide treatment for women with obstetric fistula.
Operating under the Freedom Fistula Foundation, the centre conducts fistula repairs, aiming to restore dignity and quality of life for affected women.
However, the foundation laments the inadequate funding allocated to the activity, as each fistula operation costs no less than 500,000 Kwacha.
To raise awareness and ensure accurate information reaches the community, the foundation organised a training session for journalists from various media houses on obstetric fistula in Lilongwe.
The training aimed to equip journalists with the necessary knowledge and tools to effectively communicate and raise awareness about the condition.
Journalists attending the training expressed their commitment to shedding light on this often-neglected issue and ensuring that the public receives accurate and sensitive information about obstetric fistula.
By amplifying the voices of those affected and sharing their stories, the media can play a crucial role in advocating for change and driving support for the cause.
Obstetric fistula continues to be a significant health challenge for women in remote areas of Malawi.
The efforts of organisations like the Freedom Fistula Foundation, coupled with increased funding and awareness, are vital in addressing the issue and providing affected women with the necessary care and support they deserve.
Poor women. We all have a mother. So sad to think of one suffering as a result of child bearing issues.